Que Habla Con Las Manos (CD)

It's hard to discern why Eliel's solo debut, El Que Habla Con Las Manos, features a piano in the cover, since there is no piano to be heard on this album.

Turns out, Eliel is a DJ, and thus, the reason why he "talks with his hands," as the title indicates. It's also the reason why the album features some of the hottest names in reggaet￳n, including Don Omar, H￩ctor "El Bambino," Valentino, Zion and Magnate; Eliel has worked with them before, particularly Don Omar.

No surprise, then, that much of this album is reminiscent of other acts, but as it progresses, it also displays a willingness to push reggaet￳n beyond the boundaries usually associated with the genre.

It begins with "Ronca," which features Don Omar, Hector "El Bambino" and Zion. It's an amusing track that uses snoring sound effects (therefore the title "Ronca," which means "snore"), but is more interesting in its unusual use of rippling guitar motiffs, reminiscent of the "Malague￱a."

Don Omar also guests in "Cae La Noche," a track he penned along with "Ronca." It's an intriguing, aggressive track that segues well into "La Demoledora," where Polacos harsher vocals effectively contrasts with a female chorus.

Much of Eliel's work is dramatic and moody, and introductory chords tend to be dramatic and foreboding. A departure from this tone is "Ag￭talas," decidedly more of a party track, with Wibal Y Alex rallying the girls to "shake them".

Even more different is the ensuing "La Popola," with female singer Glory, which boasts a cumbia beat with accordion and live percussion, with touches of reggaet￳n. It's a refreshing departure from the non-stop reggaet￳n beat, and an indication that the genre need not be confined to its rather square beat to still sound and feel like reggaet￳n.

A little later, "Si T No Est￡s," with Marvin, marries reggaet￳n with R&B-tinged romanticism. More lyrical in its melody and in its interpretation, it also expands the boundaries of the music.

In the end, the variety in this album makes it a compelling representation of a genre that's quickly finding an expanding audience. El Que Habla Con Las Manos may expand it even further.

By Leila Cobo